TONY Blair has attacked anti-EU sentiment, branding it a "virus" and has called for Britain to accept EU membership as its "destiny."

The former PM claimed the current euroscepticism spreading in the House of Commons and across the country were "a kind of virus" and that MPs were taking positions on Europe for "for the sake of asserting them."

In a speech to a foreign affairs think tank in London, Mr Blair said: "Europe is a destiny we will never embrace easily.

"It would be a monumental error of statesmanship to turn our back on it and fall away from a crucial position of power and influence in the 21st century.

"The right have got it really bad on this Europe thing and it is a kind of virus that makes you want to take positions for the sake of asserting them, when a rational analysis says you don't need to be in that position."

David Cameron has come under intense pressure to call for an in-out referendum on the EU but he so far has only offered the British people a referendum on negotiations on the UK's relations in the EU after the next election.

Europe is a destiny

Tony Blair

Mr Blair argued that any renegotiation would pave the way for Britain to withdraw for the European Union.

Amid speculation that Ed Miliband may be considering committing Labour to an in/out poll, Mr Blair said it was not "sensible" to be talking about a referendum.

And he warned that Mr Cameron's position may mask a desire to pull the UK out of the EU.

"Let's be very clear about this 'renegotiating the terms of membership' line," said Mr Blair.

"This is the refuge of those who want to leave but want to persuade people that it's really just an adjustment of our relationship. Then in the course of the adjustment, when the going gets very rough - as it will - they will then say 'Well it's a pity but now it seems adjustment is not enough'.

"Don't go down this path unless we are prepared to follow it all the way."

Mr Blair's comments follow a push by Italian PM Mario Monti to get Britain to hold a full in-out referendum.

The Italian premier, yesterday said: "One day Britain must ask their electorate not whether they agree or disagree but ask the fundamental question: Do you want to remain in the EU or not?"